Things You'll Need
Slicker brush or grooming glove
Premium Omega oils
Dog owners are wild about their dogs. Yet, no one is wild about the hair left on furniture and floors. To help tame your dog's shedding problem, address possible medical causes if shedding suddenly becomes excessive, identify Omega oils that promote a healthy coat, and incorporate proper doses of oils and foods high in beneficial oils.
Eliminate any causes of sudden onset shedding that may be serious. Have your veterinarian determine, diagnose, and treat any physical or stress-related problem causing a sudden change in your dog's shedding.
Identify food and oils that have a balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils, especially those high in Linoelic (LA), EPA, and GLA fatty acids. Remember, not all fats are created equal, meaning the amount of good oils they contains can vary. Beef fat, for example, does not have the quality or quantity of Omega fatty acids as that of fish oils.
Introduce new food or supplement sources slowly. Include sunflower, safflower, or fish oil, or a capsule supplement, at 1 tsp. per 20 pounds, daily. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, pets determined to have allergies may need higher doses and may also require a "supplemental GLA, an Omega-6 fatty acid that improves skin health." Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils can offer a number of health benefits to your dog, but it is important to have your veterinarian guide you very closely on dosing for your specific dog to avoid allergic reactions or overdosing.
Use a slicker brush daily to remove loose hair. If your dog is afraid of a grooming brush, use a grooming glove. Grooming gloves simply slip over your hand and allow you to remove the loose hair by stroking your dog. They are ideal for extremely sensitive or high-strung dogs.
Keep expectations reasonable. Unless you have a specific breed of dog that does not have an undercoat and, therefore, sheds little or not at all, there will always be a few stray reminders on your clothing and furniture. Shedding is a normal process for dogs. By applying a medical evaluation, smart Omega fatty acid resources or supplements, and regular grooming, you can keep shedding at a minimum.
Tips
Additional vitamins and minerals, such as zinc and folic acid, can increase the benefits of essential fatty acids.
Warnings
If adding oils, supplements, or new foods to your dog's diet upsets his digestive system significantly, seek advice from your veterinarian about modifying the dosage or choosing an alternative source.
References
Writer Bio
Carol Tilley-Williams has been a freelance writer and published author for 12 years. She was a guest editor for Poetworks Press, LLC, and also taught performing arts. Tilley-Williams attended Jefferson State Jr. College in Birmingham, Alabama, where she received the distinguished Ruby Carson Outstanding Student Award, wrote for the college newspaper, and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
